Dog’s Quick Dialing Saves Owner

A service Beagle named Belle is an amazing animal that has been trained to call for help if Kevin Weaver’s diabetes spirals out of control. Belle’s sense of smell is so acute that she can sense his blood sugar levels. On the day Kevin collapsed onto the floor, the Beagle pulled down the cell phone from the table where it always rests and bit into the number 9, which dialed 911 …

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

Today, the 17-pound beagle is expected in Washington to receive the 2006 VITA Wireless Samaritan Award, given to someone — or, in this case, some dog — who used a cell phone to save a life, prevent a crime or help in an emergency. It’s the first time a dog has received the award. (Story and photo of Belle by the Orlando Sentinel, found in Best Friends Network )

Dozens of groups in the U.S. train dogs for service to humans with disability or disease. When you learn more about service dogs you may want to volunteer to raise a puppy for one of these not-for-profit organizations.